Flower Wasp vs Brimstone
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Flower Wasp | Brimstone |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cerceris rybyensis | Gonepteryx rhamni |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 52-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Flower Wasp
A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.
Did You Know?
Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.
Brimstone
Males are vivid sulphur-yellow; females are pale greenish-white. Leaf-shaped wings provide excellent camouflage at rest.
Did You Know?
The word butterfly may derive from the butter-yellow colour of the Brimstone, one of the earliest to fly.